Improvement in portable shields for riflemen



2 Sheets-Sheet l.

T. HUNTER.

Shield for Riemen..

lnvrentor.

Witnesses.

T. HUNTER.

shield for Rinemen.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

No. 36,781. PaentedOct. 28,`]862.

I vI I "b" l g o o L... Vgl

Wtnesses. Inventur.

UNITED lSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS HUNTER, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT INiPORTABLE SHI-ELDS FQR RIFLEMEN.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 36,781, dated October 28,1862.

To a/ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS HUNTER, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Portable Armature, Table, and-Bedstead Combined; and I do hereby declare that the following is 'a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure I represents a longitudinal vertical section of my device arranged as a bedstead. Fig. 2 is a similar section ofthe same arranged as a table. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the same arranged as ritlemans armature. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same folded up and ready to be carried from place to place.

Similar letters of reference in the several views indicate corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to produce a shot-proof armature or shield which is capa- -ble of being carried from place to place and put up in the desired spot with ease and convenience, and of protecting one or more riemen, and affording a firm and convenient rest for their rifles while taking aim, said arma ture being constructed in such a manner that it can Areadily be folded up when it is desired to move the same from place to place, and that it can be converted into a bedstead or into a table, as occasion may require.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the drawings.

My armature S is made of three sections, A B C, which are connected to each other by hinges a b. The sections A B C a-re made of thin hardened sheet-steel capable of resisting a ride-ball, and the hinges a b are so arranged that the device can be readily brought in either of the positions represented in the four figures of the drawings. Between the hinges a b, and on the under or inner surfaces of the outer sections, A and C, are the legs D, connected to oscillating bars c, so that they can either be turned out to the position in Fig. 1 or turned in close under the inner or under surfaces of said sections, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Bolts E E', which are secured to the under or inner surface of the middle section, B, serve to render either or both the sections A C rigid with the middle sect-ion, B. The

section Gis provided with a rest, F, which is connected tothe inner or under surface of the same by means of a pivot, d, so that it can be turned out to the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, or that it can be turned in under the edge of section C.

When this device is to be used as a bedstead, the sections A B C are spread so that they are situated inthe same plane, and the legs D are turned down to the position shown in Fig. l. If desired, the sections may be rendered rigid by the bolts E E', but the weight of a person stretched on the bedstead will have a tendency to keep them rigid. 4

In Order to convert the bedstead into a table, the legs D are turned -up close tothe under or inner surfaces of the sections A and C, and said sections are turned down to the position shown in Fig. 2. rlhe middle section, B, forms the tabletop and the outer sections, A C, the legs of the table.

Whenever it is desired to have ashield and rest for the rifle, the two sections B C are brought in a vertical, and the section A in a horizontal, position, and the two former sections are made rigid by means of the bolt E. The rest F is now turned out to the position shown in Fig. 3, and the shield or armature is ready. The upright sections B C protect one vor more men perfectly against ride-balls, and

riilemen posted behind my armature are enabled to take deliberate and sure aim by placing their rides on the rest F.

When not used, my device is folded up, as

shown in Fig. 4, and it can now conveniently specified'.

2. The application ofthe rest F, in combination with the section C of the armature S, as and for the purpose set forth.

THOMAS HUNTER.

Witnesses:

R. GAWLEY, M. M. LIVINGSTON. 

